Gilbert Lafayette LAWS

1838-1907

LAWS, Gilbert Lafayette, a Representative from Nebraska; born near Olney, Richland County, Ill., March 11, 1838; moved with his parents to Iowa County, Wis., in 1845; attended the common schools, Haskell University, Mazomanie, Wis., and Milton College, Milton, Wis.; taught school; during the Civil War enlisted in the Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry; returned to Wisconsin and settled in Richland County; county clerk in 1862 and twice reelected; engaged in the publication of a newspaper; member of the city council in 1868 and 1869; mayor of Richland Center in 1869; chairman of the county board of supervisors in 1869 and 1870; postmaster from 1866 to 1876, when he resigned and moved to Orleans, Nebr.; appointed register of the United States land office at McCook, Nebr., in 1883 and served until November 1, 1886; elected secretary of state of Nebraska in 1886 and 1888; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Laird and served from December 2, 1889, to March 3, 1891; was not a candidate for renomination in 1890; moved to Enid, Okla., and engaged in the real estate business; returned to Nebraska in 1895 and settled in Lincoln; secretary of the State board of transportation 1896-1900; died in Lincoln, Nebr., April 25, 1907; interment in Wyuka Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present